Float valve



April 20, 1948. T. RITCHIE 2,439,864

FLOAT VALVE Filed Jan. 14, 1944" [/7 Van for Patented Apr. 20, 1948NT'AZLOFFICE FLOAT VALVE Thomas Ritchie, oskaloosa, Iowa, assignor toCharles B. Wade, Qttumwa,.I owa Application January 14, 1944, Serial No."18',4 84 i 1 l 1 Claim. (01. 137-104) This invention relates generallyto valve mechanisms and in particular to a float valve mechanism usedfor stock watering tanks.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved float valvemechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control valve whichiscapable of being held closed by an associated float against watersurges operating within the valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a float valve mechanismwhich is simple in design, comprised of but a relatively few number ofparts, eflicient in operation, and readily attachable to an uprightsupply pipe within a stock watering tank.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a float valvemechanism in which a float actuated control arm is adjustable relativeto a controllable valve member to vary the valve discharge outletconcurrently with a variation in the valve closing position of the arm.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows the float valve mechanism of this vention in assemblyposition within a watering tank;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the float valve, with certain partsbeing broken away to more clearly show its construction;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view illustrated similarly to Fig. 2 but withparts in changed position;

Fig. 4 is a and Fig. 5 is an exploded a valve member for the Referringto the draw anism of this invention is shown in Fig. 1 in assemblyrelation within a watering tank Ill having a water pipe ll projectedthrough its bottom upwardly into the tank. The pipe II is connected witha suitable source of supply such as a city main, a pump, a storage tankor the like. The valve mechanism includes a valve casing l2 ofsubstantially elbow shape having an inlet l3 and an outlet l4 (Figs. 2and 4) The elbow I2 is of a reduced tapered construction from the inletl3 to the outlet I4 so that the inlet is appreciably smaller than theoutlet. The inlet I3 is of a diameter corresponding to the.diameter ofthe pipe I I and is internally threaded for connection with the top ofthe pipe II as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. With the inlet [3 thus attachedbottom plan view of the float valve;

perspective detail View of float valve mechanism.

gs the float valve mech to the pipe ll theoutlet I4 is extended in asubstantially horizontal plane substantially normal totheinlet I3. I

As shown in Fig. 2 the outlet Mis formed with a bore portion 16 havinga'flat seat I! about its outer end and on the outside of the casing [2.The seat i1 is operatively associated with a valve member l8 (Figs. 2and 5) integrally formed with a flat disc portion is and an axiallyextended stemportion 2|. The stem portion 2| is comprised of a pluralityof angularly spaced leg members 22 connected with the disc portion isthrough an annular shoulder 23 concentric with but of a smaller diameterthan the disc Hi.

A ring-like gasket 24, composed of rubber or other like suitablematerial, is adapted to be positionedabout the annular shoulder 23 andagainst the disc 19, In'the-assembly of-the float valve mechanism theleg members 22 are freely received within the borelfi at the casingoutlet Hi and are of a length] to provide for the ring 24beingpositioned in; seating engagement against the seat |1,1whereby toclose the outlet l4.

Integrally formed withthe'casing I 2 is a U- shaped support 26 (Figs. 2and 4) which is extended laterally. from the inlet l3 and below theoutlet I4, An elongated float arm 21 is attachable at one endto afloat2B and is formed at its other end 29;;with. a pair of oppositelyextended lateral projections 3| and 32. As best appears in Figs. 2 and 3the projection 3| is. of a substantially straight form, while theprojection 32 is extended laterally and then bent outwardly from the armend 29. I

The projection '32 is of a width to be loosely received between the legsof the U-supporting member. 26 and is pivotally supported between the Ulegs on a bolt member 33 carried in the legs and with the .projection 3|extended upwardly to a position opposite the outlet I4 as shown-in Fig.2. ,Thus on any variation of the level of the liquid 34 in the tank [0,the arm 21 is pivotally movable in an up and down direction to in turn.pivotally'move, the projection 3i relative to the outlet M. Adjustablysupported in the projection 3| is an adjustable screw 36 having one end31 engageable with the disc portion iii of the valve member It.

In the operation of the float valve mechanism the valve member I!) ismoved to a valve-closing position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, by the arm21 in response to a lifting of the float 28 by the raising of the water34 in the tank Hi to a predetermined level. It is readily apparent, ofcourse, that during the lifting of the arm 21 the end 31 of theadjustable screw 36 is in continuous engagement with the disc portion IQof the valve member is and slidably movable thereon. The closed positionof the valve member l8, therefore, defines the limit of the upwardpivotal movement of the arm 21.

On a recession of the water 34 within the tank It the float 28 islowered to in turn permit a downward pivotal movement 02 the arm 21.This downward pivotal moveme t is'limited by the engagement of the end38 of the projection 32 with the connecting portion 39 between the 7legs of the U-shaped support 26 as shown in 2. As the arm 21 is pivoteddownwardly thevalve member l3 might remain in a closing positionrelative to the outlet I4, eethafiheiendet the adjusting screw 36 ismoved out rengdge ment with the disc portion [9 of'the valve'meinber.However, as soon as water is supplied v through the pipe H the valvemember is'force'd ou wa away ir m e ut we a nst. he. 'scr wei 'BY ri tie 9 3 21 g d island of the legs 22 of the valve memberlfi 'eQ-l rge pens rovi esliq a f e as a e q th water from the outlet IQ into th e tailg'd fll With the arm 1111p ast' ied position against e ortiqn. 3 ilt esii'binhrm iefllb' s'bl idla wil fro n 1 th seat 1 wrat isjles 's t enthe total n th e valve gar 's 't iat'ft! members 2 are elv n," elteinedwi h? whet. '4. 9. ro fieiq 919'??? $3 ni e. 9: ate piv ta m vem'entilwe i r U e l By adjusting the sefewjq g tg the water from the on et'14" a'riibe' variedgtd act ii the i pi fi ligh ielatir t' eli a er resure the spreii 3, 3! a q v move t ard e bit. a Y 'ew n ie 2.

a e the Wate d s a ge i eei e i e le f i low pre sur s. w lh njtl i P e.l t e. 'r 32 ma be adi teblr mer It is a ar nt at same tha the of the nw new t jba t e i t, e e i the l qiiidi 3Q t e s ike a e j h ts Th seeem hs w en 6 the fact that as t e hrew at;

edivs i m is e ende fr m he. pi e. H; sihh a h n m ted with a es iif e.v

me u e a m' a e 'thfil e 'Fm e' n i 'e t h Q; th t ere despe ati n i sseen. ai'i' ti iilr t tt im eht ise d we e. e ent as of a very simpleconstruction, flexible in application, and readily adjustable to operateefficiently at varying water supply pressures, and to provide for avariation of the height of the level of the liquid in the tank in whichit is used. It is to be understood, of course, that a stationaryprojection or lug may be provided on the projection 3| in place of theadjustable screw 36.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof is to be understood that it is not to be so limitedsince modifications and changes can be ma therein which are within thefull intended sc'bpe of this invention as defined by the appended claim.

A o'altvalve comprising a casing of elbow shape having an inlet adaptedfor connection with the top of an upright liquid supply pipe, anda'ri'outlet provided with a seat portion on h ei s d th re wi sa d eat be nin a ane. m n d l l reed n y f said casing, andwith said ontle'tfbeiiigoffa rednce'd diameter, relative to'said a yalve for said outletcomprised of adi 'c member having a one or said 'projections adjacentinlet to iect cl laterally no provide;fo1f an up and downpivotal'movement ber in response to the pivotal movement oi said Wthe p;

of said arm, thie' secon d projlectionbeing i re'i ll m re??? rdtad wa fh ith d' e iq' i 'a eb e Wii d; disc to control the"operation of saidvalve meme a nd. a Shim 91 idtasi ble w t d 11 1; 11 i 9et fiimit t dewwerd pivotal movement of said arm at a position such that said discmember is retained by saidsecond outdf said outlet;

i enf fee i BEE EEWES are The following references are of record in thefile of this patent: W

UNITED. s'rA'rns Pn'rn ws

